Bahamian
beaches are the stuff of classic travel posters, for no photographer need retouch the
luminous turquoise of their gentle waters or the feathery grace of their tall, imperial
palms. Just 50 miles from Florida, this scatter of islands and tiny cays - some 700 in
all, comprising 5,000 square miles - provide first-rate R&R in an atmosphere of
tropical serenity.

The hub of the Bahamas is New Providence
Island, where Nassau, Cable Beach, and Paradise Island attract travelers in search of
glittering cosmopolitan luxury cheek-by-jowl with colonial charm. Nassau, the capital,
founded in 1666, still wears the mantle of British grandeur, though this multi-island
nation has been independent since 1973. Its famous tree-lined boulevards and bright
majestic mansions continue to attract those who long to absorb a bit of history along with
the warmth of the sun. Cable Beach, with its opulent sweep of sand, and Paradise Island, a
bustling but pretty enclave of premium resorts, will delight clients who relish a
well-oiled beach scene by day and the rattle of the At these upscale getaways, sports of
every stripe are widely available, and life is incomparably easy.

Grand
Bahama is another site of vacationing luxe. At Freeport/Lucaya and outlying beaches
(typically splendid), dozens of American-style resorts have blossomed over the past three
decades to create a playground of golfing, gambling, and surfside glitz. Some find it all
a bit synthetic, but there's nothing phony about this island's glorious setting or
climate.

The
rest of the Bahamas, meandering from the Abacos down to Great Inagua, are known as the
Family Islands. Dozens of scrupulously luxurious retreats are tucked away on these little
gems, catering to those who love to be pampered . . . but hold the sequins, please.
Everywhere, your clients are assured of sensational beaches and tranquil seas; in
addition, certain islands boast unique attractions. Andros and the Exumas, for instance,
flank the Tongue of the Ocean, a 6,000-foot-deep underwater trench where divers can
explore the world's third-largest barrier reef. The Biminis, which host several
world-class fishing tournaments, are a favorite haunt of Hemingway wannabes; Islands in
the Stream is set in these waters. The Abacos, in turn, proclaim themselves sailing
heaven, and justifiably so; their popularity with the yachting set has engendered several
idyllic dockside inns. And then there are places, from the beloved and very classy
pink-fringed Eleuthera to the reclusive Great Guana Cay, where people flock with no
mission other than to be marooned in paradise, to savor simple fresh food and the music of
rustling palms; in short, to busy themselves with a lot of delirious nothing.